A CUT with AWS??

[ledebuhr1]

Is there any manufacture that makes a CUT with AWS?? not articulting like the big tractors. Would this be possible with the 3ph??

 

[Bob_Skurka]

None I have ever seen, but the articulated Steiner Tractors might be the closest thing you'd get. Most Steiners look like traditional CUTs but they are hinged in the center. They are best known for their side slope mowers.

Steiner Tractors

 

[Taylortractornut]

The only one I can think of was Honda made a CUT with all wheel steer. i remeber when i was 12 or 13 we saw one at a local Honda dealer.

 

[RonL]

The Bobcat Toolcat has AWS. Don't know if you would consider it a CUT.

RonL

 

[Larry_Van_Horn]

To the best of my knowledge the best you can do is go with one of the largest JD lawn and garden (455, and newer 5??) that have a cat 0 3 pt hitch. In CUTs if you primarily care about turning radius the NH with Supersteer are probably the tightest.
Larry

 

[RobertN]

Bobcat makes a TLB and a Skid steer with AWS. The TLB is live AWS, while the skid-steer can be switched between skidsteer mode and AWS mode.

The TLB is availble from 30 to I think about 40hp, but I'm not sure... I used the 30hp one; it manuevered really well.

 

[ledebuhr1]

Thanks, I wonder why there isnt a manufacture that makes a CUT with AWS?? I would be really benificial in some areas.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

Maybe cost prohibitive to have AWS? I don't know what percentage of tractors New Holland sells with SuperSteer, but there might not be enough demand for the added benefit of a tighter turning radius? SuperSteer is about $1000 extra, what would AWS add in cost and how much tighter would the turning radius get for that added cost?

I remember the Honda AWS from several years ago, but that was probably a lawn tractor, and I think Honda exited the tractor business (at least I don't see them advertised for the past few years).

I guess my question is what size CUT would you want AWS and what would its primary job be?

Sub-Compact CUTS like the mini-Masseys and mini-Kubotas already turn pretty tight and make fine lawn mowers as well as offering lots of other capabilities.

Compacts like the NH TC18D and TC24D, the smaller JD 4xTEN series, etc are not as good for lawn mowing chores as the mini-tractors becuase they don't turn quite as tight, but they are very nice small tractors that are capable of real tractor stuff, they can get into horse stalls, dig ditches, etc.

As you scale up in size, NH offers the SuperSteer option. I suppose it would be nice to turn a 30hp+ size tractor is a smaller circle, but my first real tractor was an 40 year old Oliver and that took about a 1/4 of an acre to turn around so I am pretty happy with the CUTs and how they turn.

 

[AndyMA]

Kubota made one a few years back. I saw one at a show but never in a dealership.Maybe it was only a concept vehicle. All 4 wheels steered, it could crab and go on very steep hills. It could have an operator or it could be controlled with a remote control like a radio controlled car for very step areas. I don't know what happened to it. Perhaps Art will know.

Andy

 

[rockyridgefarm]

Oops! beat me to it. In the mid 80s we had one. Sure made people take a double take when that Kubota would drive by sans operator. And then start going sideways without turning.

The idea was for safety. You could get off and mow a steep bank...

 

[rugs]

Honda made AWS, 4WD gas garden tractors plus the H6522, a 22 hp diesel. I have an H5013 (13 hp gas). It's a little strange to watch the rears as you turn the steering wheel: first they turn slightly in the same direction as the fronts, then they reverse direction and turn away from the direction the fronts are turning. The result is an extremely short turning radius, plus almost no turf scuffing, even in 4WD. For a little more info about these tractors, go to:

http:/www.rugwire.com/honda/

 

[rugs]

Sorry! That should be:

http://www.rugwire.com/honda/

 

[beenthere]

Deere has been very successful with AWS in their 400 series and now the X400 series (X500 series is 4wd and does not have the AWS option). I have had them since 1998, and they are pretty bullet proof. Not true of some of the others that have come and gone. Backing a two wheel (or more) trailer is a breeze with the AWS and getting out of slippery spots (where you are stuck) is much easier too. Also, working on slopes offers much better traction than just the front steer. Something about how the rear end comes around when turning up a slope that keeps the rear wheels from spinning out. Really great.

The X485 that I now have is 25HP, and while I don't have the 3pt package, a close friend does, and for most uses, it works well.